Vancouver Film School, Canada’s premier post-secondary entertainment arts institution, has hailed its latest graduate success stories
With 25 of its graduates having worked on The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Vancouver Film School (VFS), Canada’s premier entertainment arts institution and one of the most distinguished in the world, is eagerly awaiting the release of the third installment in the Twilight series of films. Eclipse will be seen by Twi-hards everywhere beginning June 30.
The 25 VFS alumni, hailing from the one-year 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Makeup Design for Film & Television, and Film Production programs, worked both on set and behind the scenes on the film, which was shot in and around Vancouver. The film is the third part of the vampire-romance saga, adapted from the bestselling Twilight book series by Stephenie Meyer, and follows the worldwide success of the first two movies: Twilight and The Twilight Saga: New Moon. The books and films have effected a worldwide cultural phenomenon with a following of hardcore fans.
The film’s visual effects credits include 16 VFS 3D Animation & Visual Effects graduates, many of whom also worked on the Academy Award-nominated District 9. In fact, Eclipse boasts the most VFS alumni on a single film since the 43 who worked on District 9, which was directed by VFS alum Neill Blomkamp.
Two of VFS’s Makeup for Film & Television graduates, Amy St. Jean and Michael Nickiforek, were heavily involved during the production of Eclipse, as First Assistant Makeup Artist and Prosthetics and Fake Body Fabricator, respectively. The film’s Makeup Head of Department, Charles Porlier, is an Advisory Board Member and instructor in VFS’s Makeup Design for Film & Television program.
VFS graduates have long played an important role in the B.C. film industry, and the long list of alumni who worked on The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is a testament to their strong presence in the industry.
Vancouver Film School graduates who worked on The Twilight Saga: Eclipse include:
Animation & Visual Effects:
Shawn Walsh, Visual Effects Executive Producer
Robert Bourgeault, Lighting Lead
Derek Stevenson, Matchmove Lead
Brian Harder, Creature Rigger
Geeta Basantani, Senior Compositor
Ryan Nickell, Previz Animator
Freddy Chavez Olmos, Visual Effects Compositor
Veronica Marino, Matte Painter/Compositor
Jacob Miller, Lighting Artist
Julianna Kolakis, Character Texture Artist
Ori Ben-Shabat, Compositor
Bernhard Kimbacher, Compositor
Samson Sing Wun Wong, Compositor/Matchmove Artist
Farhad Mohasseb, Rotoscope Artist
Pedram Daraeizadeh, Render Wrangler
Makeup Design for Film & Television:
Michael Nickiforek, Prosthetics and Fake Body Fabrication
Amy St. Jean, First Assistant Makeup Artist
Film Production:
Tony Whiteside, Key Grip: Second Unit
Michelle Ortt, Day Player: Camera Department
Cabral Rock, Visual Effects Line Producer
Carrie Wilson, Assistant Camera
Several Production Assistants
What's your opinion?